When we ask, “What suncare do you wear?”, we’re not looking for the perfect answer – but for awareness. With the recent relaunch of KARMAMEJU SUN, founder Mette Skjærbæk shares why choosing the right sunscreen is an important decision – for both our skin and overall health.

You’ll also learn about the differences between sunscreen filters, and why Mette chooses to use only mineral sun filters – for herself, for her daughters, and for everyone who uses Karmameju.

I have many reasons for only choosing mineral sun filters. They stay on the surface of the skin and do not penetrate the body’s internal systems. They work immediately upon application. They don’t sting your eyes. They’re recommended for children. For sun allergies. They are naturally derived. They offer broad-spectrum protection. They don’t stain clothes yellow. The lotion washes off clothes easily. They don’t clog the pores of the skin.

I choose not to use chemical sun filters because they can be measured in the bloodstream after application, they can sting the eyes, and they may cause yellow stains on clothing. I avoid nano-particle sun filters because science still doesn’t know how deeply nano-particles can penetrate the body. Chemical and nano filters do not align with Karmameju’s holistic values or the promise I make to users of Karmameju, nor what I want to pass on to my daughters. That’s why Karmameju uses only mineral sunscreen.

With the 2025 launch of SUN version 2.0, a reformulation of SUN 1.0, I believe we’ve truly succeeded in making mineral sunscreen easy to apply, beautiful on the skin, and invisible to the eye. I’m so proud that we’ve created such a luxurious, nourishing, and safe sunscreen, using only mineral filters. To me, there’s no longer any reason to use anything else than mineral sunscreen.

There are many reasons I choose mineral sun filters, first and foremost for human health. The cosmetics industry is evolving constantly, and ingredients once considered safe are now being reevaluated. I believe in transparency and the latest research when selecting the best ingredients for our skin. I deeply trust nature and its ability to meet our needs. Quantum physics teaches us that everything is energy, and I prefer energy from nature, both on my skin and in my body. Much of what we apply to our skin is absorbed, and I see skincare as nutrition for the skin. Just as we choose natural and organic food at home as much as possible, I also want our skin to receive skinfood that aligns with our essence.

“It’s my mission to inform people that sunscreen choice is an important decision – for both our skin and our health.”

The mineral filter we use in SUN 2.0 is Zinc – a naturally derived mineral and an essential nutrient that we also need in our diet. I think that’s reassuring. Previously, mineral filters were greasy and left a white/blue/purple hue on the skin. Before I developed the SUN series, I often found that mineral sunscreens in the market, which felt pleasant to apply, contained high levels of silicone to improve their application. At Karmameju, we never use silicone. Instead, we use nature’s organic Aloe vera, Shea butter and plant oils to ensure the products look and feel great on the skin, and without the white/blue hue.

It’s my mission to inform people that their sunscreen choice is an important decision for both our skin and our health. Skin is our body’s largest organ, and plays a crucial role in our overall health. Think about how medication applied via creams, gels (e.g. EstroGel) or patches, then absorbed through the skin and distributed throughout the body. Our skin, with its delicate pH and microbiome, is a vital part of our wellbeing. The health of our skin has been scientifically documented as essential for longevity – you can read more about that in this article I wrote on how skin health is key to human longevity​.

Mineral (physical) filters – such as the Zinc Oxide in KARMAMEJU SUN – stay on the surface of the skin and reflect UV rays like a mirror. Chemical filters need to penetrate the skin, then absorb UV rays and convert them into heat through a chemical reaction. Personally, I don’t like the idea that chemical filters only start working after 20 minutes. I prefer mineral filters which work immediately, do not penetrate the skin, and do not enter the bloodstream.

Together with our highly valued manufacturer in Southern Italy, with organic agriculture and certified sustainable production, we’ve solved the challenge of making mineral suncare lovely to use and invisible to the eye. 

The balance of the right ingredients has enabled us to succeed in the reformulation of SUN 2.0 with making even an SPF 50 that does not leave a white cast on the skin and feels great on the skin. At Karmameju, we are not just making suncare for your protection; the products are antioxidant-rich, nurturing skincare as well, ensuring your skin thrives, even under the harsh rays of the sun.

- Mineral filters (also called physical filters), used by Karmameju

- Nanoparticle filters (filters in nano form)

- Chemical filters

Mineral filters
Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide are minerals of natural origin. Physical filters sit on top of the skin, and stay on top while reflecting the UV rays away from the skin. Research suggests they are photostable and less likely to cause irritation. Most importantly, they don’t penetrate the skin. Though mineral sunscreens used to be hard to apply and left a white cast, that’s not the case with KARMAMEJU SUN.

Mineral/physical UV filters: Zinc Oxide. Titanium Dioxide.*

Nano-particle filters
Many ingredients can be made in a microscopic nano size. For example, physical sun filters have been developed in nanoform to make them less visible on the skin – and therefore less white. Unfortunately, there is uncertainty about how deeply they can penetrate into the body. Very little is known about the potential risks associated with nano-particles in general. Ingredients in nanoform are always listed with “nano” in parentheses after the name, for example, Titanium Dioxide (nano), so that consumers can see that nano ingredients have been used in the product. Karmameju does not use nano sun filters.

Nanoparticle UV filters: All UV filters listed with (nano) in parentheses after the ingredient name.*

Chemical filters
Chemical filters are synthetic. When UV hits the skin, these filters absorb the rays and transform them into heat within the skin. Studies show chemical filters can penetrate the skin barrier, be measured in the bloodstream, and also potentially cause irritation or sun allergies**. Chemical filters are invisible on the skin, which is why many brands use them. However, no chemical filters are approved by “green” or natural certifications such as ECOCERT/COSMOS. Karmameju does not use chemical filters.

Chemical UV filters: Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate. Ethylhexyl Triazone. Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine. Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone. Ethylhexyl Salicylate. Octocrylene. Oxybenzone. Avobenzone. Octinoxate. Tinosorb. Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate. Homosalate (may no longer be used in regular sunscreens from 2025). etc.*

Most of us love the sun – myself included – and there are many benefits to soaking up its warm rays. But using safe sunscreen is crucial for our health and safety.

Consumer safety is the guiding star in our product development.
Thank you for your trust in Karmameju – it means the world.

With love,

Mette Skjærbæk
Founder of Karmameju Skincare

*The above lists were written in March 2025. Legislation regarding which UV filters are considered safe for consumers is continuously evolving, so always make sure to seek updated information about your sunscreen at the given time.

*https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36279254/ 

https://nationaleczema.org/blog/sunscreen-avoid-flaring/